NIFG Presents: Q & A

Do you have a burning question on Northern Ireland international football?

Leave us a comment (if that doesn't work, try emailing us instead) and NIFG will try to help. We've got the greatest minds in the local game here to help, or at least we'll see if we can point you in the right direction...

Please try searching the site (using the search box in the top left-hand corner) prior to posting questions.

The important bit (PLEASE READ):

• Questions will be published "as asked" so please don't include anything offensive or any personally identifiable information (such as email adresses, phone numbers etc) that you would not wish the world to see.
• The Editor reserves the right to delete anything inappropriate.
• As with everything on this site, no liability is accepted on the basis of accuracy of information supplied.

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Question: 31/01/2011 from Lindsay

I have an official photo (taken by Clemnts Lyttle Studios) of a 1934/35 NI football cap, but am struggling to identify him as only the name Albert is hand-written on the back. Any ideas? I am happy to share the photo for your archives.

Hi Lindsay. There were no "Alberts" capped at senior level in 1934/35, but it is possible that it is an Amateur, Junior or Youth cap. If you could forward a photo to the address above (or post it to a photo hosting site such as Picasa/Photobucket etc and send on the link) we will have a go at identifying who it could belong to.

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Question: 22/09/2009

What was Lawrie Sanchez' record as our manager, i.e. wins draws defeats and goals for and against?

Sanchez's record was: Played 32, Won 11, Drew 10, Lost 11, Goals Scored 35, Conceded 42.

Full details for all managers available here.

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Question: 21/03/2009

Who was the last player to score against the Republic of Ireland?

Answer: 21/03/2009 from jcd

The last Northern Ireland vs Republic of Ireland match was held in May 1999 at Lansdowne Road, Dublin in a fundraiser in the aftermath of the Omagh Bomb. Northern Ireland won 1-0 thanks to a second-half goal by substitute "Super" Danny Griffin which can be viewed here.

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Question: 12/02/2009

What is the greatest number of players from one Irish league club to start a full international match for OWC? I have 3 from Limavady starting in our glorious 11-0 defeat against Wales on 03.03.1888- can any club beat that?

Answer: 12/02/2009 from jcd

The Limavady tally of three has been surpassed on several occasions. Though the record stands with Linfield who supplied seven players to face Scotland on 25/03/1893.

Linfield also supplied six players for another six matches. Cliftonville also managed six for four matches; the best by Distillery was five; Belfast Celtic and Glentoran's best matched Limavady with three. Bohemians, then an Irish League club, managed four against Wales in 1912.

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Question: 13/03/2007 from Ray

Hi

I was at the B international game against the Republic - Tolka Park - February 1998.We won 1-0. But I cannot remember who scored? Any ideas???

Thanks

Answer: 13/03/2007 from jcd

Republic of Ireland 'B' 0-1 Northern Ireland 'B'
11 February 1998 - Tolka Park, Dublin (Att: 10,200)
Scorer: George O'Boyle (43).

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Question: 24/03/2007 from Drew

Has any NI player ever played top flight football in England (Premiership or old First Division)but not played for NI? For that matter, has any Welsh, Scots or RoI player ever played top flight English football but never been capped?

Answer: 25/03/2007 from jcd

The obvious answer is Jim Hagan (one of the few non-internationals profiled on this site) who played top-flight football with Coventry and Birmingham in the 70s and 80s. There have been many other instances, normally of just a few appearances.

From the Premiership era (covered here in detail):

Johnny Wright (Norwich 93/94)
Wes Boyle (Leeds 96/97)
Owen Morrison (Sheff. Wed. 99/00)

Also off the top of my head:

Jimmy Harvey (Arsenal 77/78-78/79)
Henry Lunn (Portsmouth 47/48)
Errol McNally (Chelsea 61/62-63/64)
Peter Tilley (Arsenal 53/54)
Davy Hannah (Liverpool 1894/95-96/97)
Billy McDevitt (Liverpool 23/24)
William Hood (Liverpool 37/38)

As for Scottish and Welsh players I'm sure there's been loads particularly dating back prior to the Premiership

- just none I can think of right now!

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